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Behavioral Sciences & the Law Oct 2015The area of behavioral genetics has sufficiently entered the area of forensic mental health work that providers should have some working knowledge of the strengths and... (Review)
Review
The area of behavioral genetics has sufficiently entered the area of forensic mental health work that providers should have some working knowledge of the strengths and limitations of these exciting technical advances. Using MAOA as an example, this essay reviews some of the recurring themes in forensic behavioral genetics and suggests additional ways in which the technology might be used in legal matters.
Topics: Forensic Psychiatry; Genetics, Behavioral; Humans; Mental Health
PubMed: 26365171
DOI: 10.1002/bsl.2208 -
International Review of Neurobiology 2012This chapter provides an introduction into the genetic control and analysis of behavioral variation using powerful online resources. We introduce you to the new field of... (Review)
Review
This chapter provides an introduction into the genetic control and analysis of behavioral variation using powerful online resources. We introduce you to the new field of systems genetics using "case studies" drawn from the world of behavioral genetics that exploit populations of genetically diverse lines of mice. These lines differ very widely in patterns of gene and protein expression in the brain and in patterns of behavior. In this chapter, we address the following set of related questions: (1) Can we combine massive genomic data sets with large aggregates of precise quantitative data on behavior? (2) Can we map causal relations between gene variants and behavioral differences? (3) Can we simultaneously use these highly coherent data sets to understand more about the underlying molecular and cellular basis of behavior?
Topics: Animals; Behavior; Gene Expression Regulation; Gene Regulatory Networks; Genetic Variation; Genetics, Behavioral; Genome; Genotype; Humans; Phenotype; Quantitative Trait Loci
PubMed: 23195314
DOI: 10.1016/B978-0-12-398323-7.00006-9 -
Behavior Genetics Mar 2017Auditory detection thresholds for certain frequencies of both amplitude modulated (AM) and frequency modulated (FM) dynamic auditory stimuli are associated with reading...
Auditory detection thresholds for certain frequencies of both amplitude modulated (AM) and frequency modulated (FM) dynamic auditory stimuli are associated with reading in typically developing and dyslexic readers. We present the first behavioral and molecular genetic characterization of these two auditory traits. Two extant extended family datasets were given reading tasks and psychoacoustic tasks to determine FM 2 Hz and AM 20 Hz sensitivity thresholds. Univariate heritabilities were significant for both AM (h = 0.20) and FM (h = 0.29). Bayesian posterior probability of linkage (PPL) analysis found loci for AM (12q, PPL = 81 %) and FM (10p, PPL = 32 %; 20q, PPL = 65 %). Bivariate heritability analyses revealed that FM is genetically correlated with reading, while AM was not. Bivariate PPL analysis indicates that FM loci (10p, 20q) are not also associated with reading.
Topics: Acoustic Stimulation; Auditory Threshold; Bayes Theorem; Dyslexia; Family; Female; Genetics, Behavioral; Humans; Male; Molecular Biology; Pedigree; Reading
PubMed: 27826669
DOI: 10.1007/s10519-016-9821-3 -
Philosophy, Ethics, and Humanities in... Jun 2006In this article we examine four objections to the genetic modification of human beings: the freedom argument, the giftedness argument, the authenticity argument, and the...
In this article we examine four objections to the genetic modification of human beings: the freedom argument, the giftedness argument, the authenticity argument, and the uniqueness argument. We then demonstrate that each of these arguments against genetic modification assumes a strong version of genetic determinism. Since these strong deterministic assumptions are false, the arguments against genetic modification, which assume and depend upon these assumptions, are therefore unsound. Serious discussion of the morality of genetic modification, and the development of sound science policy, should be driven by arguments that address the actual consequences of genetic modification for individuals and society, not by ones propped up by false or misleading biological assumptions.
Topics: Genetic Determinism; Genetic Enhancement; Humans; Morals; Public Policy
PubMed: 16800884
DOI: 10.1186/1747-5341-1-9 -
Development and Psychopathology Nov 2013The momentum of genomic science will carry it far into the future and into the heart of research on typical and atypical behavioral development. The purpose of this... (Review)
Review
The momentum of genomic science will carry it far into the future and into the heart of research on typical and atypical behavioral development. The purpose of this paper is to focus on a few implications and applications of these advances for understanding behavioral development. Quantitative genetics is genomic and will chart the course for molecular genomic research now that these two worlds of genetics are merging in the search for many genes of small effect. Although current attempts to identify specific genes have had limited success, known as the missing heritability problem, whole-genome sequencing will improve this situation by identifying all DNA sequence variations, including rare variants. Because the heritability of complex traits is caused by many DNA variants of small effect in the population, polygenic scores that are composites of hundreds or thousands of DNA variants will be used by developmentalists to predict children's genetic risk and resilience. The most far-reaching advance will be the widespread availability of whole-genome sequence for children, which means that developmentalists would no longer need to obtain DNA or to genotype children in order to use genomic information in research or in the clinic.
Topics: Child; Child Development; Child Psychiatry; Genetics, Behavioral; Genomics; Humans; Mental Disorders
PubMed: 24342839
DOI: 10.1017/S0954579413000606 -
Human Brain Mapping Jun 2010Population neuroscience endeavours to identify environmental and genetic factors that shape the function and structure of the human brain; it uses tools and knowledge of... (Review)
Review
Population neuroscience endeavours to identify environmental and genetic factors that shape the function and structure of the human brain; it uses tools and knowledge of genetics, epidemiology, and cognitive neuroscience. Here, I focus on the application of population neuroscience in studies of brain development. By describing in some detail four existing large-scale magnetic resonance (MR) imaging studies of typically developing children and adolescents, I provide an overview of their design, including population sampling and recruitment, assessments of environmental and genetic "exposures," and measurements of brain and behavior "outcomes." I then discuss challenges faced by investigators carrying out such MR-based studies, including quality assurance, quality control and intersite coordination, and provide a brief overview of the achievements made so far. I conclude by outlining future directions vis-à-vis population neuroscience, such as design strategies that can be used to evaluate the presence of absence of causality in associations discovered by observational studies.
Topics: Animals; Brain; Brain Mapping; Genetics, Behavioral; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Neurosciences
PubMed: 20496380
DOI: 10.1002/hbm.21069 -
Human Brain Mapping Jun 2010Excitement with the publication of the human genome has served as catalyst for scientists to uncover the functions of specific genes. The main avenues for understanding... (Review)
Review
Excitement with the publication of the human genome has served as catalyst for scientists to uncover the functions of specific genes. The main avenues for understanding gene function have been in behavioral genetics on one end and on the other end, molecular mouse models. Attempts to bridge these approaches have used brain imaging to conveniently link anatomical abnormalities seen in knockout/transgenic mouse models and abnormal patterns of brain activity seen in humans. Although a convenient approach, this article provides examples of challenges for imaging genetics, its application to developmental questions, and promises for future directions. Attempts to link genes, brain, and behavior using behavioral genetics, imaging genetics, and mouse models of behavior are described. Each of these approaches alone, provide limited information on gene function in complex human behavior, but together, they are forming bridges between animal models and human psychiatric disorders.
Topics: Animals; Behavior; Brain; Diagnostic Imaging; Genetics, Behavioral; Humans; Models, Neurological
PubMed: 20496375
DOI: 10.1002/hbm.21047 -
Genes, Brain, and Behavior Mar 2018The development and application of methods for automated behavioral analysis have revolutionized behavioral genetics across model organisms. In this review we summarize... (Review)
Review
The development and application of methods for automated behavioral analysis have revolutionized behavioral genetics across model organisms. In this review we summarize the history of automated behavioral analysis in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. We highlight recent studies of learning and memory to exemplify just how complex the genetic and neural circuit mechanisms underlying a seemingly simple single behavioral response can be. We finish by looking forward at the exciting prospects of combing genomic technologies with connectomic and phenomic level measurements.
Topics: Animals; Behavior, Animal; Caenorhabditis elegans; Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; Genetic Association Studies; Genetics, Behavioral; Habituation, Psychophysiologic; Learning; Memory; Models, Animal
PubMed: 29124896
DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12437 -
Seminars in Reproductive Medicine Sep 2009Studies of environmental challenges, such as hazardous air pollutants, nonmutagenic toxins, diet choice, and maternal behavioral patterns, reveal changes in gene... (Review)
Review
Studies of environmental challenges, such as hazardous air pollutants, nonmutagenic toxins, diet choice, and maternal behavioral patterns, reveal changes in gene expression patterns, DNA methylation, and histone modifications that are in causal association with exogenous exposures. In this article we summarize some of the recent advances in the field of environmental epigenetics and highlight seminal studies that implicate in utero exposures as causative agents in altering not only the epigenome of the exposed gestation, but that of subsequent generations. Current studies of the effects of maternal behavior, exposure to environmental toxins, and exposure to maternal diet and an altered gestational milieu are summarized.
Topics: Adult; Chromatin Assembly and Disassembly; DNA Methylation; Diet; Environment; Environmental Pollutants; Epigenesis, Genetic; Female; Fetal Nutrition Disorders; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Genetics, Behavioral; Histones; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Male; Maternal Behavior; Models, Genetic; Phenotype; Pregnancy; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects
PubMed: 19711248
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1237426 -
Genome Research Dec 2005The dog has emerged as a premier species for the study of morphology, behavior, and disease. The recent availability of a high-quality draft sequence lifts the dog... (Review)
Review
The dog has emerged as a premier species for the study of morphology, behavior, and disease. The recent availability of a high-quality draft sequence lifts the dog system to a new threshold. We provide a primer to use the dog genome by first focusing on its evolutionary history. We overview the relationship of dogs to wild canids and discuss their origin and domestication. Dogs clearly originated from a substantial number of gray wolves and dog breeds define distinct genetic units that can be divided into at least four hierarchical groupings. We review evidence showing that dogs have high levels of linkage disequilibrium. Consequently, given that dog breeds express specific phenotypic traits and vary in behavior and the incidence of genetic disease, genomic-wide scans for linkage disequilibrium may allow the discovery of genes influencing breed-specific characteristics. Finally, we review studies that have utilized the dog to understand the genetic underpinning of several traits, and we summarize genomic resources that can be used to advance such studies. We suggest that given these resources and the unique characteristics of breeds, that the dog is a uniquely valuable resource for studying the genetic basis of complex traits.
Topics: Animals; Breeding; Chromosome Mapping; Dogs; Evolution, Molecular; Female; Genetics, Behavioral; Genome; Linkage Disequilibrium; Male; Phylogeny; Sequence Analysis, DNA
PubMed: 16339369
DOI: 10.1101/gr.3736605